EAPB3017 English for Academic Purposes 2 E-Portfolio Submission

This E-Portfolio assignment, for the English for Academic Purposes 2 (EAPB3017) course, requires students to develop a comprehensive portfolio showcasing their academic skills. The assignment includes a self-assessment of skills, a personal development plan (PDP) with SMART goals, analysis of source reliability, and essay outlining. The core of the assignment is an argumentative essay on the privatisation of the NHS, requiring students to research, analyze arguments for and against, and formulate a well-supported position. The portfolio also includes tasks on note-taking, and referencing styles. The assignment is designed to improve students' academic writing, critical thinking, and research skills.

A18
English for Academic Purposes 2 (EAPB3017)
Name:
Student Number:
Tutor name:
This is your English for Academic Purposes 2 e-portfolio which you must submit on Thursday 26th April 2018 by
2pm via the Student Portal. This should be completed throughout the course and you must make sure you
save your work regularly (e.g. on your computer, on a USB stick, on email or on the Cloud drive). Please refer
to suggested word counts for each task included within this portfolio.
Assessed Learning Outcomes:
1. Produce elements of a cohesive and coherent researched essay
2. Listen to an academic lecture whilst taking coherent notes
3. Read, compare and summarise a number of written academic texts.
1

Wee
k Table of Contents Pag
e
Learning
Outcome
Completed
?
(
)
Portfolio Tasks
(These tasks should be developed throughout the term but completed by
Thursday 26th April 2018 by 2pm)
1 Where are you now? 2 LO 1, 2 & 3 ☐
1 Personal Development Plan
[suggested word count: 100 - 150] 3 LO 1, 2 & 3 ☐
2 – 9 Organising your ideas
[suggested word count: varies per task] 4 LO 1 & 3 ☐
6 Making notes with confidence
(200 words) 6 LO 2 ☐
3 – 8 Developing your arguments
[suggested word count: varies per task] 8 LO 1, 2 & 3 ☐
6 – 9 Writing your argumentative essay
(900 words) 10 LO 1 & 3 ☐
10 Getting a First! 11 LO 1 & 3 ☐
Total word limit:
Final task: Argumentative essay (900 words) (+/- 10%)
Track your progress by ticking off each task as you complete it, in the final column
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 1: Where are you now?
Below is a list of the skills you will need when working on extended pieces of writing during your university
career. Using the list from EAP 1, put a cross (X) in the same boxes for each skill in the first column, and tick
() the appropriate box for each skill in the second column, according to how well you think you can do this
now.
You should refer to the checklist throughout the course and decide whether you have made any progress with
these skills.
Skill This is new for
me
I need to
develop this
skill
I can improve
this skill
I can do this
well
Looking for information
Identify which book / journals/ websites
to use ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Select relevant parts of a text ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Using sources
Acknowledge sources of information ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write a reference list correctly ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Avoid plagiarism ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Planning/Writing
Brainstorm ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Plan written work ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Link ideas effectively ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Paraphrase & summarise ideas ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write an introduction ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Write a conclusion ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Personal Study
Work independently ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Manage my time ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Oral Presentation
Brainstorm ideas with peers ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Discuss written work in a tutorial ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
IT
Access the internet ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use search engines ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Create word documents ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Use PowerPoint ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 1: Personal Development Plan (PDP): Specific – Measurable – Achievable – Realistic – Timescale [SMART]
You are required to develop a Personal Development Plan (PDP), which includes goals for the development of your academic skills after the completion of the
module. This should include skills we cover on this module. To help you, write down the strengths and weaknesses you listed in EAP 1 in the box below, which can
also be from your feedback. Use complete sentences.
Strengths
 I display the capability of composing a huge number of the academic literature. The pieces that are composed by me do bear all the
characteristics of the assignments that might be termed to be of a good quality.
 The learning skills that are depicted by me tend to be the quick learning skills. These skills help me to complete the given assignment
within the stipulated time. I generally do not find it hugely necessary to attend a huge number of the lecture sessions in order to form
a better understanding of the subject.
 I do tend to finish up with the given assignments within the stipulated time. This helps in the timely submission of the allocated
assignment.
 I tend to display collaborative nature while working in a team. This helps me to develop my team-work skills which might help me in
the matters relating to my future career.
Weaknesses
 I feel that my organisational skills need improvement. This might help me to maintain the coherency in the thoughts and the
compose the essay in an organised manner.
 At certain points of time during the composition of the assignment, I might display an obsession with the tasks at hand.
 I might tend to attain the peaks of the perfection in the task at hand. This might lead to the heated discussions with the various
members of the team in attempts of solving the given assignments.
 I might tend to be demonstrated a dominating attitude at times during the completion of the given assignment and might want to
complete all the assignment by myself. This might lead to the conditions of unrest within the concerned team members who have
been allocated the given assignment.
Now think about what you would like to improve. Be specific when describing your goals and how you will achieve and measure them. (100 – 150 words)
Target Goal Action Success Criteria Completed by?
e.g. To have clear paragraphs To produce an outline before writing The reader can identify the topic/ideas of
those paragraphs
February 2018
1 To put forth the demonstration of the
attentiveness to the points of view that
are shared by the other members of
the team.
To make a list of the various strengths of
the members of the team that has been
assigned a single topic for the composition
of an assignment.
The betterment in the matters pertaining to
the comprehension of the opinions and the
ideas that are shared by the members of the
team that has been assigned the given topic
February 2018
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for the completion of the assignment.
2 To depict various organisational
abilities during the completion of the
assignment, especially in the
presentations and the reports that are
necessary for the completion of the
concerned assignment.
The important checklists of the tasks that
have been undertaken or have been
completed need to be prepared as well as
maintained by the concerned composer of
the assignment
The honing of the skills that are necessary in
organising the facts and figures that need to
be presented in the concerned assignment.
February 2018
3 To demonstrate the ability of handling
the approaches of the critics and the
educators on the given assignment.
To depict a clearer understanding of the
limitations of one’s own. This might also
lead the concerned individual to crave less
for the achievement of the perfection in
the given subject.
The demonstration of the understanding of
the fact that huge amounts of practice in
the given fields is necessary in order to
attain the hugely craved perfection in the
given field.
February 2018
3

PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 3: Organising your ideas: Are my sources reliable?
Look at the table below. Using the sources you have found (not from GSM Learn or the reading list), answer
the questions below to determine if they are reliable. Make notes.
Source 1 Source 2
Who wrote/said it? Dan Corry Ian Johnston
Are they qualified to speak on this
topic?
Yes Yes
Do they have a personal interest in
that issue?
No No
What type of source is it? Magazine Article Newspaper Article
Has it been verified in any way? Can it
be proved?
Yes Yes
Is there evidence to support this
claim?
Yes Yes
Was the source created to persuade,
sell, entertain, inform or for another
purpose?
The article was written in
order to provide the
commoners with the
knowledge about the current
situation of the NHS and the
ways in which Privatisation
might affect it.
The article was penned in order to
put forth the fact that the rapid
decision of privatisation of the
NHS might lead to serious
consequences on the lives of the
common people.
Is the content relevant to your
research?
Yes Yes
When was it published/last updated? January 11, 2018 July 28, 2016
Does this impact its relevance or
objectivity?
Yes Yes
Give the full references of both your sources here in Harvard Style:
To format the text, highlight the word(s) or line of text you want to change and select the required formatting
option (colour change, bold, italics etc.).
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Johnston, I. 2018. How the creeping privatisation of healthcare is damaging the NHS. [online] The
Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-
health-service-healthcare-privatisation-a7160771.html [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
Corry, D. 2018. The NHS is in crisis. But it's not up to volunteers to rescue it | Dan Corry. [online] the
Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2018/jan/11/nhs-winter-
crisis-volunteers-public-services [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 4-9: Organising your ideas: Noting down the main points
In the space below, create an outline for your essay by making notes about any information you find from class
or reading list sources and from the two sources you found. Use bullet points and not full sentences. Include
in-text citations where necessary. You should add to this throughout the course. (150 – 200 words)
Essay Question:
Should the NHS be privatised?
Arguments in Favour (Yes) Arguments against (No)
Economic
 The economic burdens of the
government of the country might
decrease with the privatisation of
the healthcare services in the
country.
 The privatisation might lead to the
increase in the inflow of the
necessary funds which in turn
might lead to the proper
functioning of the NHS.
 The privatisation might also lead to
the lowering of the taxes that need
to be borne by the concerned
residents of the country thereby
extending a small amount of relief
to the concerned taxpayer of the
country.
 The privatisation of the NHS might
also lead to the improvement of
the various medical equipments
that are necessary for the proper
functioning of the various health
care activities undertaken within
the organisation.
 The privatisation might lead to the
increment in the budget of the
persons seeking the medical aids.
 The privatisation led to the increase
in the expenditure of the concerned
common people who need to seek
for the medical attention.
 The privatisation of the healthcare
services might lead to the increment
in the healthcare costs that are
incurred by the common people of
the country, thereby leading to the
financial crisis in their lives.
 The privatisation of the healthcare
services might lead to the conditions
wherein the healthcare services
might not be affordable by the
common people who have been
residing in the country.
Social
 The privatisation might lead to
improvements in the quality of the
treatment that is extended to the
various patients.
 The privatisation might also bring
about a decrease in the political
influences and the interferences in
the healthcare system.
 The privatisation might lead to the
increment in the sustenance of the
NHS
 The privatisation might lead to the
increase in the number of the
branches of NHS, thereby helping
in the formation of a number of
 The privatisation might bring about a
shift in the key focus of the
healthcare services.
 The privatisation might lead to the
conditions wherein the healthcare
services might be treated as another
commodity.
 The privatisation might lead to the
discarding of the major issues that
pertain to the equality of the people
of the country on the economic
grounds. The NHS might not be able
to serve the financially weaker
sections of the society post-
privatisation.
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healthcare centres across the
country. This might help the
citizens of the country to avail the
needed medical facilities.
 The privatisation might also
motivate the younger generation
to actively take part in the
healthcare services of the country.
 The privatisation of the organisation
might lay more stress on the
economic upliftment while ignoring
the ethical issues that are involved in
the healthcare services.
PORTFOLIO TASK
Developing your arguments: Paraphrasing/Summarising
Choose one aspect (e.g. Economic or Social) and summarise and/or paraphrase the main points you noted in
the outline on page 5. Use complete sentences and include in-text citations where necessary. (150 - 200
words).
Arguments in favour (Yes):
The transferring of the control of public organization like NHS on to a private undertaking would increase
the cost of such health services. The unfortunate patients belonging to the economically backward strata of
the society would face major financial difficulties in dealing with health problems, as availability of such
health services would become scarce. The Commonwealth report published in the year 2014, states that
NHS is the organization providing the cheapest health care services among all other institutions in the
country. This very fact proves that privatization of NHS is no doubt a bad decision. To add on to this, recent
information from the biggest insurance-based policies of UK, ensure the fact that privatization of NHS would
only weaken the faith and trust of citizens of the country in all such matters relating to healthcare.
Arguments against (No):
On the other hand, if NHS is privatized the country might witness an increase in the number of people
employed in the fields concerning healthcare. This is due to the fact that the young generation of the
country is more inclined towards working in areas that involve in helping people in matters related to
healthcare. Experts are also of the opinion that privatization would indeed form the road for increase in the
competition in the quality of the health care provided to the patients.
Reputed for its contribution of free health care services to the dwellers of UK, NHS is the most approached
organization in terms of health care issues. However privatizing NHS would only mean a halt on the free
services to the poor patients of the country. Therefore, non-privatization of NHS needs to be focused on to
help the needy and poor people of the society.
7

PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 5: Developing your arguments: Combining sources
Using the summaries you wrote in the previous task, combine them below to create the first body paragraph
of your essay. Use the guide below to help you and highlight each part with the same colour. (250 – 300
words)
Body paragraph 1
Say why this is a key issue (e.g. Economic/Social)
(this is your topic sentence)
What is the counter-argument of this issue?
(this is the opinion you do not agree with)
What is the main argument if this issue?
(this is your opinion)
Why is your argument stronger than the counter-argument?
What evidence/examples do you have to support this?
What can you conclude from this? What are the implications?
You should use at least 2 sources in this paragraph.
In order to understand the advantages and the disadvantages of the privatization of NHS, PESTEL analysis is
necessary. The economic factors and the social factors have important roles to play in the crucial
understanding of the feasibility of the privatization put forward.
On talking about the economic point of view regarding the issue, various experts have the view that
government of the country might undergo a considerable amount of relief where health care has been
8

funded by private institutions. In this way, the government can focus on issues that are much more severe
in magnitude like defense, education or immigration.
However, the transferring of the control of public organization like NHS on to a private undertaking would
increase the cost of such health services. The unfortunate patients belonging to the economically backward
strata of the society would face major financial difficulties in dealing with health problems, as availability of
such health services would become scarce. The Commonwealth report published in the year 2014, states
that NHS is the organization providing the cheapest health care services among all other institutions in the
country. This very fact proves that privatization of NHS is no doubt a bad decision. To add on to this, recent
information from the biggest insurance-based policies of UK, ensure the fact that privatization of NHS would
only weaken the faith and trust of citizens of the country in all such matters relating to healthcare
(England.nhs.uk. 2018).
On the other hand, if NHS is privatized the country might witness an increase in the number of people
employed in the fields concerning healthcare. This is due to the fact that the young generation of the
country is more inclined towards working in areas that involve in helping people in matters related to
healthcare. Experts are also of the opinion that privatization would indeed form the road for increase in the
competition in the quality of the health care provided to the patients (Corry 2018).
Reputed for its contribution of free health care services to the dwellers of UK, NHS is the most approached
organization in terms of health care issues. However privatizing NHS would only mean a halt on the free
services to the poor patients of the country (Nuffieldtrust.org.uk 2018). Therefore, non-privatization of NHS
needs to be focused on to help the needy and poor people of the society.
Corry, D. 2018. The NHS is in crisis. But it's not up to volunteers to rescue it | Dan Corry. [online] the
Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2018/jan/11/nhs-winter-
crisis-volunteers-public-services [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
England.nhs.uk. 2018. NHS England. [online] Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ [Accessed 26 Mar.
2018].
Nuffieldtrust.org.uk 2018. Home. [online] The Nuffield Trust. Available at: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/
[Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Making notes with confidence
This is an in-class activity. Please upload a photo of your notes here.
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11

Write a summary about what you have just listened to. (No more than 100 words)
Write a response to the opinions given. (No more than 100 words).
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PORTFOLIO TASK
Week 7-9: Writing your argumentative essay
Using the same process you did for the first body paragraph, complete your essay below.
(900 words: +/- 10%)
The NHS should be privatised. Discuss
One of the highly debated topics among the dwellers of the United Kingdom, irrespective of their social
status or economic conditions is the privatizing of the National Health Services (NHS), UK. Educated people
arguing in favor of the motion are almost equal in number to those arguing against the motion. The National
Health Services, UK was founded in 1948. This organization delivers low-cost health services to the people of
the nation. Some residents are of the opinion that NHS needs to be privatized to exhibit the diverse
credibility and competency skills. People voicing against this belief hold the opinion that privatization would
not be the correct choice on the part of the government as that would indicate the end of people's right to a
healthy life without having to tackle the various economic aspects linked to it.
In order to understand the advantages and the disadvantages of the privatization of NHS, PESTEL analysis is
necessary. The economic factors and the social factors have important roles to play in the crucial
understanding of the feasibility of the privatization put forward.
On talking about the economic point of view regarding the issue, various experts have the view that
government of the country might undergo a considerable amount of relief where health care has been
funded by private institutions. In this way, the government can focus on issues that are much more severe
in magnitude like defense, education or immigration.
However, the transferring of the control of public organization like NHS on to a private undertaking would
increase the cost of such health services. The unfortunate patients belonging to the economically backward
strata of the society would face major financial difficulties in dealing with health problems, as availability of
such health services would become scarce. The Commonwealth report published in the year 2014, states
that NHS is the organization providing the cheapest health care services among all other institutions in the
country. This very fact proves that privatization of NHS is no doubt a bad decision. To add on to this, recent
information from the biggest insurance-based policies of UK, ensure the fact that privatization of NHS would
only weaken the faith and trust of citizens of the country in all such matters relating to healthcare.
On the other hand, if NHS is privatized the country might witness an increase in the number of people
employed in the fields concerning healthcare. This is due to the fact that the young generation of the
country is more inclined towards working in areas that involve in helping people in matters related to
healthcare. Experts are also of the opinion that privatization would indeed form the road for increase in the
competition in the quality of the health care provided to the patients (Corry 2018).
Reputed for its contribution of free health care services to the dwellers of UK, NHS is the most approached
organization in terms of health care issues. However privatizing NHS would only mean a halt on the free
services to the poor patients of the country (Nuffieldtrust.org.uk 2018). Therefore, non-privatization of NHS
needs to be focused on to help the needy and poor people of the society.
As health-related issues are the major role-players in the daily lives of people, social factors involved in
privatization of the NHS, gains central importance in its discussion as well. The advantages and
disadvantages of privatizing NHS can be understood appropriately by understanding the social viewpoint of
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the issue.
People supporting the privatization of NHS have the mindset that this privatization is more likely to
increment the authority and rights, rather power relished by the privately-owned firms (Johnston 2018).
This, as a result would improve transparency and communications between patients and related staff at
various health centers. According to Hspm.org. (2018), privatizing NHS would support the reduction of
political interferences, thus ascertaining clarity in the health care facilities provided, and freeing it of
corruption as well.
However, opposers of these ideas are of the opinion that privatization would only mean an increment in the
cost of various health care services thus decreasing the diversity and variety of the services provided to the
concerned patients (Pollock 2018). It is noteworthy that the position of UK in the sector of delivering health
care to the patients can provide as the major issue in denying the privatization of NHS, whereas, there is
absence of proper proof that privatizing NHS would improve the health care services provided to patients.
There are propositions regarding the partial privatization of the concern which stated that the a few
sections of the healthcare service would be handed over to the various organizations that are governed by
the private owners (Haldenby 2016).
As discussed above, privatizing National Health Services of the United Kingdom is most likely to be
unsuccessful for the government. The above discussion points out the arguments both in favor of
privatization as well as against it, from the socio-economic angle. As is evident from the economic analysis,
privatization of NHS would undoubtedly shrink the health care institute to a mere profit seeking
organization without its true objective of selflessly catering to the needs of poor people. Hence it can be
concluded that NHS should strive to keep performing its duties in the same way it has been performing
since its genesis. In addition to this the state is also advised to focus more on the way of providing its health
care services to the common folk of the nation.
Reference List
Commonwealthfund.org. 2014. [online] Available at:
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/files/publications/fund-report/2014/jun/
1755_davis_mirror_mirror_2014.pdf [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
Corry, D. 2018. The NHS is in crisis. But it's not up to volunteers to rescue it | Dan Corry. [online] the
Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2018/jan/11/nhs-winter-
crisis-volunteers-public-services [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
England.nhs.uk. 2018. NHS England. [online] Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ [Accessed 26 Mar.
2018].
Haldenby, A. 2016. Delivering the 2015 Spending Review objective of successful NHS partnerships with the
private sector. [online] Reform.uk. Available at:
http://www.reform.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Delivering-the-2015-Spending-Review-objective-of-
successful-NHS-partnerships-with-the-private-sector.pdf [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
Hspm.org. 2018. Search and Compare - HSPM. [online] Available at:
http://www.hspm.org/searchandcompare.aspx [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
Johnston, I. 2018. How the creeping privatisation of healthcare is damaging the NHS. [online] The
Independent. Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-
health-service-healthcare-privatisation-a7160771.html [Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
Nuffieldtrust.org.uk 2018. Home. [online] The Nuffield Trust. Available at: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/
[Accessed 26 Mar. 2018].
Pollock, A. 2018. Privatisation of the NHS: Allyson Pollock at TEDxExeter. [online] YouTube. Available at:
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